You know what this means - this means, he wants to win both RG and Wimbledon, his two favourite slams. So he's skipping the entire hard-court season, the next four months so not to burn himself out. Besides, he might feel healthy and mentally strong after the long break but after he's out there, especially on hard courts, where there are too many contenders and the surface being his worst, I don’t think he fancies his chances coming back “strong” at the start of next year. On the other hand, clay will come very easily to him since he’s a natural on it and won’t require long practice. And Wimbledon is right after. Having that said, I see RG being a lot more open this year than the previous years. I don’t think it’s a sure for Nadal going into the future anymore.

I had thought by "compete" he meant be a serious contender for the win?

My understanding was that he was merely pointing out that even if he is medically-pronounced fit to compete,he won't automatically turn up and be one of the favourites to win like usual,and he won't just be back in action and able to play at his best.I had thought when I read that he was just trying to quieten the expectations.But I could well be wrong.

I had thought by "compete" he meant be a serious contender for the win?

My understanding was that he was merely pointing out that even if he is medically-pronounced fit to compete,he won't automatically turn up and be one of the favourites to win like usual,and he won't just be back in action and able to play at his best.I had thought when I read that he was just trying to quieten the expectations.But I could well be wrong.

Bing translation:I've seen that they have left mine collected statements incorrectly with respect my calendar. I am preparing me for initially anticipated tournaments of Acapulco, Melbourne, Doha and Abu Dhabi to start the year. For now it is what I have in mind.

I'd be very surprised if he skips the AO. Then he'd be looking at having had 9 months off the tour which would be very hard to come back from - he can't just expect to start the clay season in top form having played no tournaments beforehand.

From his latest comments, he seems positive about returning in Abu Dhabi, and then playing Doha and Australia. He's realistic about not expecting to win, but playing is still a good idea to give him much-needed match practice ahead of the clay season. He's hoping to be back at his peak level in Monte Carlo, which is when he usually plays his best tennis.

"I want to be 100% in Monte Carlo and then prepare well for Roland Garros," Nadal said. "I will hopefully be ready for Australia but I am only looking at tomorrow and continuing my recovery.

"I have the goal of returning in Abu Dhabi but neither Abu Dhabi nor Australia are the end of the world for me. I will only come back when I am fit. I won't come back worrying about my knee."

^^ What he is saying is pretty clear to me. He wants to be 100% for Monte Carlo and then RG. Those are his priorities. There are risks involved if he plays hard court tournaments; that's why he doesn’t sound as sure. Also, if he skips it, it won't be as big a deal to him.

I had thought by "compete" he meant be a serious contender for the win?

My understanding was that he was merely pointing out that even if he is medically-pronounced fit to compete,he won't automatically turn up and be one of the favourites to win like usual,and he won't just be back in action and able to play at his best.I had thought when I read that he was just trying to quieten the expectations.But I could well be wrong.

That's basically what I thought Nadal was saying too, i.e. that he won't be putting any pressure or expectation on himself for the AO, he's not going to worry about the results, but he wants to be right for the clay season.

Having said that, I wouldn't be in the least surprised if Nadal doesn't play the AO. I just have a feeling. Something just doesn't feel right in the things that are being said. It all sounds positive, but to me there is a feeling of wishful thinking as well. I might be wrong.

I wonder how Rafa is going to do when he comes back to be honest. The length of time he has been out will surely be tough to come back from. I know he will pose a threat to a lot of players even if he is not his best, but you have to wonder about those at the top. Nadal had a tough time against Djokovic last year, Andy's game has come on in leaps and bounds this year, along with his mindset, and then there is that other bloke. I suppose what I'm getting at is the game hasn't stood still since Nadal last played, and I just wonder if he might find coming back, at least as he was, quite hard going. I suppose we'll see.